1

Principal Data Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Principal Data Engineer plays a pivotal role in delivering scalable, governed, and high-quality data solutions through the Context Engine framework, working collaboratively with institutional ...

New

The Principal Data Engineer plays a pivotal role in delivering scalable, governed, and high-quality data solutions through the Context Engine framework, working collaboratively with institutional ...

New

The Principal Data Engineer plays a pivotal role in delivering scalable, governed, and high-quality data solutions through the Context Engine framework, working collaboratively with institutional ...

New

The Principal Data Engineer plays a pivotal role in delivering scalable, governed, and high-quality data solutions through the Context Engine framework, working collaboratively with institutional ...

New

Principal Data Engineer

$160K - $170K/yr

We are looking for a Principal Data Engineer to join our Data Engineering team as a senior individual contributor and technical leader. This is a high-impact role for an engineer who thrives on ...

New

Principal Data Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$106K - $127K/yr

Principal Data Engineer Location: Houston, TX - 4 days/week onsite Duration: Full time / Direct Hire The Principal Data Engineer within the Data Science and Analytics team, plays a crucial role in ...

Principal Data Engineer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$100K - $110K/hr

Principal Data Engineer - Principal Data Engineer Job Type: Contract W2 Location: Johnston, RI or Charlotte, NC or Boston,MA Role Overview: Principal-level Java engineer to design and build ...

Principal Data Engineer

Plymouth, MI · Remote

$109K - $130K/yr

Principal Data Engineer Company: Birdi Work Type: Remote Employment: Full Time Location: US Seniority: Senior Level Technologies: Tableau, Tableau Server, SSIS, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Python, SSRS ...

Principal Data Engineer

Des Moines, IA · Remote

$180K - $225K/yr

Principal Data Engineer | Direct Hire Permanent Location: Remote Salary: $180,000 - $225,000 base plus SIGNIFICANT bonus and or equity potential *** For immediate and confidential consideration ...

New

Principal Data Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site +1

$101K - $163K/yr

The Principal Data Engineer works with business and IS leaders and stakeholders to establish data engineering strategies that support the organization's goals and objectives. They lead and influence ...

Principal Data Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$101K - $163K/yr

The Principal Data Engineer works with business and IS leaders and stakeholders to establish data engineering strategies that support the organization's goals and objectives. They lead and influence ...

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing scalable and robust data solutions that enable efficient data processing, storage, and retrieval.

Principal Data Engineer #1052690 If you're looking for a career that will provide a challenging work environment and many opportunities to learn, our company is the place for you. Join our team and ...

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing scalable and robust data solutions that enable efficient data processing, storage, and retrieval.

Overview The Principal Data Engineer is a senior technical individual contributor (no direct people management required) responsible for driving technical excellence, architectural direction, and ...

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing scalable and robust data solutions that enable efficient data processing, storage, and retrieval.

next page

Showing results 1-20

Principal Data Engineer information

See salary details

$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal data engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I make 200K as a Data Engineer?

Principal Data Engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in cloud platforms, and expertise in big data tools can earn salaries around or above $200,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or senior roles. Compensation varies based on location, industry, company size, and individual qualifications, with some senior data engineers earning close to or exceeding this figure.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Principal Data Engineer?

As a Principal Data Engineer, your day-to-day responsibilities generally include designing and optimizing large-scale data pipelines, developing architectural strategies, and overseeing the implementation of robust data solutions. You'll collaborate closely with data scientists, analysts, and software engineers to ensure the organization's data infrastructure is efficient, scalable, and secure. You may also mentor junior team members, review code, and set data engineering best practices. This role frequently requires balancing hands-on technical work with strategic planning and stakeholder communication to align data initiatives with business goals.

What is a Principal Data Engineer job?

A Principal Data Engineer is a senior-level technical role responsible for designing, building, and maintaining large-scale data infrastructure. They lead data engineering teams, establish best practices, and ensure efficient data pipelines to support analytics and machine learning. This role involves working with cloud platforms, big data technologies, and distributed systems to optimize data processing. Principal Data Engineers collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and business stakeholders to drive data-driven decision-making. Their work is critical in enabling organizations to leverage data effectively for insights and innovation.

What engineers make 300,000 a year?

Principal Data Engineers and senior engineering roles in fields like software, cloud, and machine learning often have salaries reaching or exceeding $300,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. Compensation can include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

What does a principal Data Engineer do?

A principal Data Engineer designs, develops, and maintains large-scale data systems and pipelines to support data analysis and business decision-making. They often lead data architecture initiatives, ensure data quality and security, and collaborate with data scientists and engineers using tools like SQL, Spark, and cloud platforms. This role typically requires extensive experience in data engineering and strong problem-solving skills.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Principal Data Engineers or senior engineering roles in high-demand industries can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in data architecture, and leadership responsibilities. Compensation at this level often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, typically found in large tech companies or organizations with significant data infrastructure needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Principal Data Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Data Engineer, you need a deep understanding of data architecture, data modeling, ETL development, and distributed computing, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with technologies such as Hadoop, Spark, Python, SQL, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud), as well as certifications in relevant tools or data engineering, is highly valuable. Strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and effective cross-functional communication are essential soft skills for this role. These combined abilities enable Principal Data Engineers to design scalable data solutions, drive engineering best practices, and lead complex projects to successful completion.

More about Principal Data Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Data Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Data Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Data Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Principal Data Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Principal Data Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Data Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Principal Data Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.
Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer

MD Anderson

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


MD Anderson Cancer Center rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 168 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

32nd of 877 rated healthcare providers


Job description

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking a Principal Data Engineer to join the Enterprise Data Engineering & Analytics Department, a team dedicated to operationalizing critical data and analytics for digital business initiatives. The Principal Data Engineer plays a pivotal role in delivering scalable, governed, and high-quality data solutions through the Context Engine framework, working collaboratively with institutional stakeholders to enable data-driven decision making. The Principal Data Engineer is responsible for leading complex end-to-end data engineering efforts, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards, and improving time-to-solution for analytics initiatives.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. At UT MD Anderson, the Principal Data Engineer contributes to advancing the organization's mission by transforming data into actionable insights that support clinical, operational, and research excellence. The Principal Data Engineer partners across IT and institutional teams to deliver impactful analytics solutions that improve outcomes for patients and stakeholders.
The ideal candidate will have a preferred Master's degree in Business Analytics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, or a related field, along with extensive experience in enterprise data engineering and analytics delivery. Ideal experience includes deep familiarity with Epic systems, SAP Web Intelligence, Power BI, and data modeling tools such as Caboodle and Clarity, along with strong experience in clinical reporting and analytics use cases.
Minimum $146,500 - Midpoint $183,000 - Maximum $219,500
Why Us?
At UT MD Anderson, the Principal Data Engineer plays a critical role in advancing enterprise analytics and enabling innovative data solutions that directly support patient care, research, and operational excellence. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex, high-impact data initiatives while collaborating with cross-functional teams across the institution. Team members benefit from a supportive work environment that promotes professional growth, continuous learning, and meaningful contributions to a mission-driven organization.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Responsibilities
Data Engineering - End-to-End Solution Delivery:
• Lead, communicate, and participate in end-to-end solution delivery across the Context Engine framework
• Integrate data governance processes across ingestion, ingress, egress, curation, transformation, modeling, and visualization
• Build and manage data pipelines supporting data flow from acquisition to consumption for defined use cases
• Incorporate metadata management, data provenance, security, and data quality processes into pipelines
• Manage stakeholder relationships and proactively communicate priorities and delivery timelines
• Drive data requirements to ensure solutions meet business needs beyond initial requests
• Implement complex analytics deliverables including reports, metrics, dashboards, extracts, and visualizations
• Perform complex data analysis, testing, and problem solving using SQL and NoSQL technologies
• Collaborate with data engineers to support enterprise integration and institutional data strategies
Standards, Testing & System Maintenance:
• Manage adherence to standard operating procedures and institutional policies for data and analytics delivery
• Ensure build standards are met, including governance oversight and approvals
• Prepare documentation for enhancements and new technology implementations
• Execute and monitor change control processes, including audits where applicable
• Perform and oversee quality control, testing, and peer review of analytics solutions
• Manage system updates and releases for assigned analytics modules
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and best practices
• Participate in after-hours application support and downtime procedures
Educate and Train:
• Lead and train stakeholders on data pipelining and data preparation techniques
• Develop and implement training plans for Context Engine tools and systems
• Deliver institutional, departmental, and one-on-one training sessions
• Mentor and guide less experienced team members through coaching and knowledge transfer
• Serve as liaison with customers and OneIS to deliver effective technical solutions
OneIS Collaboration and Culture:
• Deliver innovative, sustainable IT solutions aligned with organizational goals
• Promote trust, respect, and collaboration with customers and team members
• Build productive partnerships across teams and stakeholders
• Demonstrate commitment to excellence and continuous improvement
EDUCATION
  • Required: Bachelor's Degree
  • Preferred: Master's Degree Business Analytics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, or related.

WORK EXPERIENCE
  • Required: 7 years Relevant information technology experience. or
  • Required: 5 years Experience with preferred degree.
  • May substitute required education with years of related experience on a one to one basis.
  • Preferred: Ten years of Epic experience, 5 years of clinical experience, expertise in reporting on Unplanned Readmissions, expert in SAP Web Intelligence, Power BI, and Epic tools; Radar Dashboards and Slicer Dicer.
  • Preferred Certification: Caboodle Data Model, Clarity Data Model-Clinical.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
  • Required: EPIC - EPIC Certification Must obtain at least one Epic Data Model certification (Clinical, Access, or Revenue) issued by Epic. within 180 Days

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
Additional Information
  • Requisition ID: 181480
  • Employment Status: Full-Time
  • Employee Status: Regular
  • Work Week: Days
  • Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 146,500
  • Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 183,000
  • Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 219,500
  • FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
  • Fund Type: Hard
  • Work Location: Remote (within Texas only)
  • Pivotal Position: Yes
  • Referral Bonus Available?: No
  • Relocation Assistance Available?: No

#LI-Remote

What MD Anderson Cancer Center employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom